“Please, I’ll be good. Don’t send me there.”
“Marjorie, you are a silly girl at times. Whatever gave you that idea? We are not going to Newcastle.”
It was little reassurance, and as she was about to ask where was it they were going, the excited voices of the boys up ahead distracted her. She could hear them yell out, “Look, the train station. Are we going on a train today? Sir, sir, do we get to go on a train?” It was hard for Marjorie to hear the master’s reply, but there was a loud applause so she thought he must have said yes.
The children lined up along the platform while the master went to the ticket booth. It was difficult to stand still, for some because of the prospect of the exciting adventure before them, and for others because they were filled with uncertainty and dread. Trains were coming and going and people scurried in all directions. The master directed the children down the platform to wait for their train. They took the Selly Oak train to the Birmingham New Station, only to change trains there. As she boarded the next train, Marjorie wondered where they were going for their adventure and why it had to be a secret. Mistrust had piled up throughout the morning and now would not be shaken. The happy excited feeling from earlier in the day had all but disappeared.
Shortly after the train pulled away, Kenny ran up to Marjorie, a huge smile on his face, and announced, “Marjorie, Marjorie, we’re going to London! I always wanted to go to London.” Marjorie told her brother to be quiet and that they were not going to London. She turned to Nurse for confirmation, but she was busy and did not answer. A little girl sitting beside Marjorie whispered that she thought that he might be right. Kenny looked at his big sister and said that he told her so, and skipped back to his seat.
Fear and excitement mixed in Marjorie’s stomach. She remembered London on the large map at school, and it was in a different direction from the Newcastle home, so maybe Nurse was telling her the truth about not going back to that horrid place. It would be exciting to go on an adventure to London, but it was too bad that Joyce had to work in the kitchen. She would love to go to London. Marjorie would have so much to tell her when she got back. It was puzzling though. It must take a long time to get to London. Would they travel that far for their adventure? It would be very late when they returned and Joyce might even be asleep when she got back. She might have to wait until tomorrow to talk to Joyce.
Marjorie sat quietly, afraid to speak as the train sped south, taking them away from Birmingham. Most of the children busied themselves looking out of the window. At noon, Nurse passed around some lunch. The children ate quietly. The excitement had kept them from realizing how hungry they were. Marjorie took advantage of the quiet moment to get Nurse’s attention and told her that Kenny said they were going to London. She stood right in front of Nurse and said, “He’s wrong, right?”
“Well, umm, yes Marjorie. We are going to London,” said Nurse, lowering her eyes and her voice.
“Will we get back tonight? I promised Joyce …” Marjorie was cut off by Nurse. She appeared flustered and told the girls to hush, after scolding them for all their questions. She looked over at the master and asked him to please explain. The children all stopped what they were doing and looked at him. He finished his mouthful slowly, aware that all eyes were on him. Clearing his throat, he started, “Well, children, let me explain.” A sudden and total silence permeated the group.
He began by saying that he was certain that everyone had heard of Canada from their lessons at school. He looked around, “Put up your hand if you have heard of Canada.” All the children raised their hands, including those who did not have any idea what or where Canada was. It would do them no good to admit that they had not paid attention to their lessons.
“Good,” the master boomed out, “everyone knows where it is then.” He went on, “Canada is a colony of this great country of ours — on the other side of the huge Atlantic Ocean.” He told them that Canada was a very large country with not many people living in it. It needed good, smart, strong boys and girls like them to go over and help keep the country British.[1] He looked over his audience, and then continued. “Canada is a very beautiful country,” he said. “However, because it is so large, many people from the other countries want to go there too. We need to make sure the colonies stay British rather than have foreigners of all sorts moving in and taking over. The King has chosen you to be his little soldiers.” He told the children that each and every one of them had a very important job to do. He assured them that they would be very happy over in Canada, as this was a marvellous opportunity for all of them. He wiped his brow with his handkerchief and took another bite of his sandwich.
A stunned hush enveloped the car. This was no longer just a day trip. They would not be going back to the home. The questions started to fly. A boy challenged the master by asking if he had ever been to Canada.
He replied that he had not but he had heard a lot about it. He told them that there were cowboys and Indians in Canada and suggested that if were to look out of the train window when travelling across the country they might see some riding along on their horses. A wide-eyed youngster wanted to know if they were bad cowboys and Indians. The master replied, not reassuring anyone, “No, not at all.” He told them there was no need to worry and that they might even see some buffalo on the prairies as well.
“Buffalo! What are buffalo? Are they dangerous? Where are you sending us?” One of the taller boys stood up, demanding answers.
The master coughed; the bread suddenly felt very dry in his mouth. He surveyed the group and took note of the looks on the children’s faces. The expressions varied. He could see excitement, fear, and panic. He tried to answer only the questions from the children who appeared excited, but this quickly became impossible:
“How will we get there?”
“When will we be coming back?”
“How long will it take?”
“How long will we be gone?”
“But what about my sister? She is not here. I want her to come!”
“Hey, what about my little brother?”
“How will we get back?”
“What about my assignment at school? Do I have to finish that?”
“I am supposed to work in the kitchen on Saturday. Cook will be mad if I don’t show up.”
“Do we leave from London?”
“Is that why we are going to London?”
“My two sisters aren’t here. Will they be coming to Canada too? Is Canada close to London? I really want to go to London.” Kenny was going to get as many questions in as possible while he had the master’s attention.
Marjorie heard Kenny shout out. He asked the one question that she was too afraid to voice. “What about Joyce and Audrey? Why did we leave them back at the home?”
“Well, Kenny,” the master began, “we will be stopping at London. Who wants to see the lions at Trafalgar Square?”
Several children yelled out “I do! I do!” and drowned out the talk of brothers and sisters. Kenny kept asking about London. Not London, Marjorie screamed inside, ask about Joyce and Audrey!
Master told them that they would be stopping in London just for a night or two, and while there they would get to meet some real Canadian people at Canada House. “It’s a lovely big building right beside the lions at Trafalgar Square.” He warned them that they talk differently in Canada, so be prepared. He gave a little chuckle, but only Nurse laughed with him. Marjorie thought that was odd coming from him. She had had such a hard time at first understanding the Birmingham accents of everyone at the home. She could understand them perfectly now, as long as they talked slowly.
One girl asked if they were going to live at Canada House. Nervous laughter filled the car, but all faces turned to the master to see what he was going to say. He assured them that they would not be living there. He said, “From Canada House you will go over to Creagh House — a lovely old